Survey Comments
Old Gear
Well, I wish I had more to choose from - I built a couple of Heathkits, borrowed a Drake 2-B, extensively used Johnson, Drake, Collins, and Hallicrafters...
but I think the one old radio that is nearest and dearest to my heart is the Hammarlund HQ-170. I regretted it many times when I sold one that was in rough shape way back in the early '70's, having bought it when I was still a Novice - I had to have one once I used one at a friend's shack...Last year I finally acquired another and am engaged in restoring it. Anybody got a Central Electronics 100-V that I can put alongside it?
Posted by
K7NG on 2007-07-19
Old Rigs
Which one...hmmm...that's a good question. I started in ham radio when I was in high school. The transmitter was a knightkit T-60 and a BC-312N receiver with an RME MC-55 converter for 15 and 10. Couldn't work on 10 since I was a novice (WN8VVJ).
I've always like tube rigs, Drake TR-3, TR-4, T4X and the R4 series, Swan 350/350C, 500 and 700CX, Heathkit HW-101 terrific rig for the price.
When I turn on my Swan 350C or my Drake T4XC/R4C, it brings back memories of the old days when AM on 160 meters was the order of the day. I use to listen to the 160 meter guys on Sunday evenings running Hallicrafters, Globe King and Viking rigs that sounded like Studio audio. Today I listen to the AM guys on 40 meters near the top of the band. There's a gold mine in older rigs out there just waiting to get back on the air. AM is having a come back and running controlled carrier AM with a Drake or Heathkit is a lot of fun. Hallicrafters HT-32 or HT-37, phasing rigs, run excellent power on AM along with an SX-101 receiver barefoot into a dipole can give you a lot of hours of enjoyment.
Radio's that glow in the dark simply do it well at a cost that's not going to break your bank account.
73's
Mike
WB8TNJ
Posted by
WB8TNJ on 2004-09-12
First HF RIG
I got a VERY USED ICOM 701 HF radio from
my brother in 1991 for $150. The radio had been
opened many times and fixed or adjusted
by many people,The radio though kept
going and was solid as a rock. I had a sincere appreciation and respect for this
radio as far as looks and performance
for a radio made in 1978! Even today,
they are available in working condition
on the used market. My hats off to ICOM
on the ICOM 701,thanks for the memories
Posted by
K8AND on 2004-05-23
National NCX-3
This was a bullet proof 80/40/20 meter xcvr.
Traded a 2 meter Benton Harbor Lunchbox for it used in '68.Used it with a Hy-Gain 18V vertical/no radials mostly on 80 & 40 without ever checking the SWR (in '68 was a newer ham & didn't know any better). Sold it @ a hamfest in about '77 & it still worked.Maybe not as sensitive & selective as rigs are now a days,but it was like the Energizer Bunny it just kept on going & going &................... {:>)
Posted by
WA5MKA on 2004-03-28
FT101ZD
The 101zd,
What a nice radio, so much easier use than my old faithful K.W ATLANTA.and when it finally becomes unrepairable due to open circuit mains transformer as they all seem to eventually, it makes a superb doorstop.
Jim....g4rek
Posted by
G4REK on 2003-11-21
OLDER RIGS
Posted by
KD5RGJ on 2003-08-07
OLDER RIGS
Posted by
KD5RGJ on 2003-08-07
OLDER RIGS
ALTHOUGH NOT A REAL OLD RIGS-I LIKE THE KW TS 120/130...NO BELLS OR WHISTLES-JUST KNOBS TO TURN WITH EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO-BUILT LIKE TANKS AND SOLID STATE TOO.
Posted by
KD5RGJ on 2003-08-07
Best Ole Rig:
Mid 50's: Hallicrafters SX 96, did well especially with a added q multipler, not the best on SSB. X meter WW2 surplus, you know a boat anchor, converted to 80 & 40 meters, for mobile a surplus aircraft radio converted to 80 meters, crystal control 6V6s I will never for get them. To be perfectly frank had to let them go, too heavy to move, the mobile just plain wore out with too much heat, 6v6s were not designed for 500 volts @1/2 amp.
73's Doc K6QXR
Posted by
K6QXR on 2003-07-27
Hallicrafters
My ole' reliable setup is my Hallicrafters HT-32A and SX101A. These two pieces of gear were my primary radio station for a good number of years after I was forced to sell my TS-440 (car mishap with parents car) I was not so quick to replace the radio because the Hallicrafters station performed very well. I used this along with a T.O. Keyer, and I had a Hammarlund HQ-180 standing by to receive Shortwave. I haven't fired them up in a few years since I moved out of my parents house, but when I get married and a house, you can bet it will be the center of my station! (With my K2 stashed in there somewhere).
I do like to collect old gear, but I enjoy using it even more. I think its boring to have it sit on a shelf and collect dust. Not to mention, it warms up the shack in the winter! 73's James KB2FCV
Posted by
KB2FCV on 2003-07-18
I have many SWAN s
Hi my dear: I have SWAN 500c, 500, 350. I brought my first Swan 500c and 500 at the swap meet in mid-1995 and recently. I brought the 350 from my ham friend for $50. I like them all. The Swan 500c, and 500 give out more than 150w: no need amplifiers. The 350 has little power output, but the sound is so good. I used these radios during the contests. I have so much fun. Sometime I used all three in one contest. I brought many final tubes (6lq6, 6hf5) at EBAY so I can play with the SWAN forever until leave this world. Fun, Fun, Fun, 73
Posted by
KQ6EE on 2003-07-16
Yaesu FT-101EE
Hardy enough to stand our abuse and sensitive enough to hear the weak ones!
Posted by
NL7C on 2003-07-08
two tin cans and a string. Hw101 but I think the new rigs are better.
Posted by
WB4QNG on 2003-07-03
Old Rig
My current favourite toy is an FT101ZD, but I love them all. You can keep all your modern all-singing, all-dancing super-rig earth stations. If I want a crystal clear guaranteed contact with someone the other side of the world via satelite, then I'll pick up a phone. I want to recapture the days of my youth, when the challenge of teasing that faint rare signal out of the noise by deft knob tweaking gave so much more satisfaction. (That and a cabinet full of happily glowing tubes!)
Posted by
G8TEB on 2003-06-21
Best Old Receiver
The Hammarlund SP 600 was certainly the best; The Collins R 390 was equally good, but a little less sensitive.
Posted by
KB2NAT on 2003-06-06
To many fun rigs
I have Hallcrafters, Gonset, Johnson, Hammerlund, Collins, National, Heathkit, Eldico, Lysco, Messiner, etc. You know what, it's all so much fun to operate I can't really pick one. I will admit the Lysco
600 is a real turkey of a transmitter. But it's interesting to understand why it's that way (rotten power regulation). Johnson Viking II with it's Model 122 VFO great AM
transmitter, interesting to tune, if adjusted
correctly great AM sound. The real fun for me is on those days in Wyoming when there is a howling blizzard outside, at night, and I am down here in the shack with all this stuff glowing warmly talking to me.
Posted by
W7ITC on 2003-05-18
FUN RIG
Most fun I have ever had in radio was using a war weary Command Set (BC-696) (3-6 MHz) and a early Hallicrafters SX-28A. CW only with a home build power supply weighing about 25 pounds. Antenna was an end fed wire with a makeshift tuner and a pick up loop. Traffic nets and rag chewing on 80. Shack was in the attic and a bit later moved it into a closet downstairs and obtained a 7 Mhz command transmitter and the fondly remembered Q5er. That was another Command Receiver which covered 300 to 600 Khz. Picked off the 455 kc I.F. fed it into the Q5er which had an 85 KHz IF and really had sharp tuning.
Although my operation today is fun and laid back, it does not compare with the thrill of working France with that bunch of "junk"
Ole man JEAN
Posted by
W4TYU on 2003-03-23
Drake 4-line 'Twins'
It's fun to read about everybody's favorite 'old radios'. Mine have to be Drake's 4-line 'Twins' (xmtr & rcvr). I'm an original R-4B Receiver owner (bought in late 1967 while in high school ... 'bankrupt' me at the time but in hindsight was a good deal) and purchased a used T-4X Transmitter in mid-1970. The R-4B went overseas as my shortwave receiver while I was working for Uncle Sam in the mid-70's and the T-4X joined me when I operated in W6-land while still wearing AF blue. I think Drake hit a good compromise between price and solid construction and they had superlative customer service (I had an IF xfmr short-out in the R-4B while overseas and Drake shipped me a replacement along with the bill). At Dayton one year I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Frost (Drake's Customer Svc Mgr for years) and telling him what a warm feeling I had about Drake. The R-4B & T-4X are sitting in a closet now (I can't give them up) but I don't doubt that I'd have some Drake gear on my operating table if they were still in the ham equipment business. Drake built honest gear and they had the people to match.
Posted by
WB5AGF on 2003-03-08
Drake = Classic
My first Drake was a SW4A, an AM only shortwave
receiver, before I was an amateur. Later
I had T4X and R4A.
Modern radios are much easier to use once
the software is set, but I still love sitting
in the hamshack, illuminated only by dial
lights and the glow of the tubes shining
through all those little holes in the cover.
Especially on a cold winter night.
Posted by
W8PAT on 2003-03-08
Old gear
Always had a warm spot for Gonset.
Posted by
K0CBA on 2003-03-05
Drake TR-3
My elmer had a Drake TR-3. Though the later TR series is much more sophisticated, I will always consider it the most asthetically pleasing. The fidelity was terrific, too. One of these days I'll find a nice one and restore it. That said, it was a poor CW rig!
Posted by
WB2ERJ on 2003-03-05
Old Radios
The best old radio for me was my first transceiver, A Kenwood TS-520. Before the 520 I used Heath and Johnson gear. I was so pleased with the 520 I kept it for 2o years then sold it. A Ten Tec Station replaced it which I still have. A pleasure to use the 520, and it was YES portable, it could be used on 12 volts DC. WOW ! Now I can go mobile ! Yep it fit into my 1971 Dodge with ease ! It never broke or had to be modified and as far as I know is still being used by the Polish ham who bought it !
But alas, a mid life crisis, I had to get my novice gear back. On my op desk is my 'ol Johnson Viking Adventurer, the Heath VF-1 VFO, and my beautiful, mint, perfect BC-348Q WW-2 receiver. Just the smell of that gear when hot brings me back to 1961 listening to Sputniks beacon. Don't know what a Sputnik is ? heh heh, get on the internet sonny !
73, Jack K2JX
Posted by
K2JX on 2003-03-04
Galaxy GT550
I got a Galaxy GT550 when I started in Ham Radio in 1970 (As VE8CD in the Yukon). Nice rig! Good ears, CLEAN, clean transmitter. Worked thousands of stations on CW and SSB. Sold my solid state HF rig two weeks ago so I fired up the Galaxy for the ARRL DX worldwide last weekend - it still works just fine! Cut through the pile-ups like a champ - and the receiver was so splatter free that I had forgotten how good it can be!! Andy AB7FS (formerly VE8CD,G4GDB,VE7NAG and ZK1AND)
Posted by
AB7FS on 2003-03-04
Vintage Radios
I love them and have a good many now. I'll be brief. The HT-37 is my favorite. I have two of them. Both in great original condition. I use them every week and get great reports. Next up are my Swan radios. Cygnet 300B 700CX and a newly aquired 350 Station. I love the tubes and the time when radios were heavy. Larry WA2PZI
Posted by
WA2PZI on 2003-03-04
Old Gear
My first gear consisted of a 6L6 on wooden lathe for the TX and an ARC-5 RX on 80 mtrs, or so I thought. Best DX with that was the FCC in Maryland telling me my 80 mtr sig was bearly readable, but 599 out of band on 40 mtrs. Then went to an ARC-5 TX. Heathkit DX60, NC-100 RX. Homebrew 811's, Many dipoles, inverted V's. Latest gear is Yaesu 757, SB-1000 bird warmer, transverters, Kenwood mobiles, Tri-band beam, VHF beams, and VHF verticals, full size 160 and 80 mtr inv-V's...Miss the days of heating the shack with "Valves".
73, Charlie, WA2HMM, crankin@suffolk.lib.ny.us
Posted by
WA2HMM on 2003-03-01
Rigs for big hands
Nothing will excite me in Ham Radio the way it did as a novice in 1959 to sit down and wait for my old SX-28 to come to life. Continuous coverage and wide bandspred tuning with handwheels and switches that were huge and heavy. My fat old hands that can still tickle my straight key at a clean 18 wpm just cant press a single button on my "moden" rig without hitting another button as well. Give me the 100 lb receiver every time. Best of 73's ...Peter
Posted by
KG6PHD on 2003-02-28
Heath DX40 & Hallicrafters SX99
What a combo. Bought both used. Built a plate modulator for the DX40 instead of screen modulation. Great fun. Touching the cabinet of the SX99 would "wiggle" a CW signal right out of the passband. Had a number of QSO's I never finished, due to that. But, most of all I had great fun with these two "old timers." Moved to a Collins 75A3 and Viking Ranger I - both were excellent - wish I had never sold them when I went to Thailand during Vietnam. Dean, K9FTB, Fairport, NY
Posted by
K9FTB on 2003-02-27
Atlas 350XL is King!
I received my '350 in a sorry state, the finals had been ripped out due to the notorious self-oscillation in the PA.
But, as a keen collector of Atlas rigs I decided get her tickling the airwaves again..Replaced the finals with new MRF454 trannys and modified the feedback/bias and 0V circuitry. Now she runs 200w+ without even trying-my other new 100w rig outputs look lame in comparison on the power meter!.She is sensitve,listened to ZS1J's 100 microwatt-(Yes, MICROWATT) beacon on 40m , 800miles from my QTH!- audio agc pops a bit, but who cares?.
Herb Johnsson made Ham rigs-the circuitry is simple, reliable, and- you can get your head in the covers to do your own repairs!.
William/ZS5WC
Posted by
ZS5WC on 2003-02-25
Best old HF rig
I love my Yaesu FT 840 and Icom 706MKIIg,Uniden 2600,and LDG autotuner.They represent state of the art engineering and ease of use,and a great bang for the buck.I really do like them a lot.Having said that,I still love my Drake twins/MN4C tuner and have no plans to ever get rid of them.Reason?They still kick butt in receive and transmit and I could fix them in my sleep.They never have needed repair in the thirty years they have been around other than a few tubes and relubricating the PTO assembly.They were not built to mobile,efficient in power consumption,or the most convenient due to the technology used.They were built to perform,and to last.This is also generally true of early transistor and hybrid gear.Anybody with some electronic skills can keep them alive forever.Being a musician also keeps me using tube amplification.Current state of the art in the best new gear is tubes or tube and transistor hybrid,while the digital modeling stuff has a ways to go.Once again,the high tech digital amps leave something to be desired in both build quality and servicability.The trade off for light weight and convenience.All latest gear is fine for the non-technical operator because of it's plug and play smplicity.Kind of like CB,FRS,GMRS,consumer entertainment gear,computers(I hate that similarity).It all does the job it's intended to very well,but is disposable down the road after the special IC's and other critical factory parts are gone.I just love the old hard wired construction and basic sheet metal chassis which makes old gear so tough and easy to work on,if needed.Straight forward electronics still gets the job done on the bands,and in my case,on the bandstand.
Posted by
KB9RBY on 2003-02-25
Old HF Rig
I thoroughly enjoyed the running the FT101EE. Great receiver and lots of contacts with great audio reports. Never met a pile-up it couldn't break ... eventually. I have a (somewhat) more modern rig now but, I wish it had the receiver of the 101.
73,
Garry
Posted by
N5GLR on 2003-02-25
You can have em
Well I will add my $0.03 in here. My first rig was a borrowed Heathkit HW-100 or was it a 101? Then had a old Henry radio, then a FT-101E. Anyway it was fun to work cw as a novice then moved up to SSB and good old Packet at 300 Buad and would not trade that experince for the world.
That being said I do not want any of it back! I am not a fan of tube equipment though I do own several old SW receivers made from 1920-1950 and they are fun to turn on once and a while for the nostalgia.
So yes the old gear was fun when I was new at this ham stuff back in high school but I I really have no zeal to get any of it back, I will take the modern equipment any day.
I do recogonize some really like the old gear and that is great! That is what makes Ham radio so much fun, the diverse interests we all have.
Jack NK7J
Posted by
NK7J on 2003-02-24
Heathkit all the way! I still use a HW-2036A for 2m operations, and it works great!
Posted by
KB3HFP on 2003-02-24
Swan 350 gets my vote
When I got back into ham radio in September 2000 after a several year hiatus, I passed my General written exam and a local club buddy loaned me an old Swan 350 HF phone rig. With nothing but a 20M dipole strung in the attic, I worked a lot of good DX. Guys/gals with whom I QSO'ed gave me generally pretty good reports on audio, even though I had a really crummy ground, and their signals sounded pretty good coming through my speaker, too. Made the shack nice and warm on cold winter nights, to boot!!
Posted by
KA8SYX on 2003-02-24
Collins S Line
In 1972 I became a novice under the call of KA1CAN. Had an elmer that sold me a transmitter and receiver, Collins 32S1 and 75S3. I didn't know the difference between any of the rigs. But he told me that this would last me my entire ham career. 30 years later it is still operational as new. I have worked 318 countries, 5BDXCC, 5BWAZ, 5BWAS and everything that falls in between. 1000's of hours on the rigs and still going strong. Finally treated myself to a IC746 in 1998. What a treat indeed. However there is still something about the audio quality of that old Collins station.
Many thanks to W2FU, old Doc Zimany for his recommendation and generosity.
de
KA1W
Posted by
KA1W on 2003-02-23
Dreaming
If I found a Genie lamp that would give me 3 equipment wishes for brand new old rigs, I would choose a SR-2000, 51S1, and TR-4cw.
Posted by
FJGH on 2003-02-23
old gear
The most fun I've had with ham radio was with a Hallicrafters BC-610 at about 450 watts feeding a 3 element 20 meter beam and a hammerlund super pro receiver. I was on the Island of Okinawa in the early 50's and would eat supper at the Naha AFB NCO club and then climb the 100 or so steps up to the MARS shack, fire up the BC-610 and proceed to call CQ 20 ---tuning 14.2 to 14.3---give me a long count. It was thrilling to hear a reply on the Super pro. I've been associated with radio ever since and so far nothing can compare to a reply on a Hammerlund super pro
Posted by
W3FHW on 2003-02-23
old gear
The most fun I've had with ham radio was with a Hallicrafters BC-610 at about 450 watts feeding a 3 element 20 meter beam and a hammerlund super pro receiver. I was on the Island of Okinawa in the early 50's and would eat supper at the Naha AFB NCO club and then climb the 100 or so steps up to the MARS shack, fire up the BC-610 and proceed to call CQ 20 ---tuning 14.2 to 14.3---give me a long count. It was thrilling to hear a reply on the Super pro. I've been associated with radio ever since and so far nothing can compare to a reply on a Hammerlund super pro
Posted by
W3FHW on 2003-02-23
Heathkit
I still have my old Heathkit SB-102 and the HW-16 Novice CW transciever. I wouldn`t part with any of them for all the money in the world. And there both still in good working order. I put them on the air every now and then just for the fun of operating them. Even with todays plug and play radios you can`t beat the old "BOAT ANCHORS".
Roger/WA1GCT
Posted by
WA1GCT on 2003-02-23
Decisions, Decisions!
I voted for Collins. Hands down the winner, but Collins is commercial grade equipment. Comparing apples to apples (no computer jokes please) Drake is my favorite. I hope soon to have my beloved TR-4C back on the air. Til then I'll be using my built-like-a-rock Swan 100MX
Posted by
K4DFH on 2003-02-22
SWAN
SWAN SWAN SWAN SWAN SWAN SWAN SWAN SWAN SWAN
Nothing else compares!
Posted by
WD40 on 2003-02-21
Drake TR4
I had a lot of them but the TR4 held its own for decades and still has the kind of sound I can enjoy for hours. Mr friends sound like themselves coming out of the speaker.
Posted by
K8NQC on 2003-02-20
Old Gear
Does it really matter which brand? Sitting in a dark shack with the only light provided by the meter and dial lamps, heated by tubes, rag chewing (pounding the brass) with friends.
I do miss those days (and I am trying to get back to them).
Posted by
WA9BXE on 2003-02-20
HF Rigs Used
Kenwood TS-820
Yaesu FT-101EE
Like the FT-101EE, got it to 140w.
Posted by
KE4IZA on 2003-02-20
My NOVICE DAYS!!!
My first set was the Mult-Elmac Transmitter
AF-67 and receiver. The receiver was very broad with no filters but it did enable me to turn off the BFO and listen to the shortwave broadcasts. My junior year in high school I begged my parent's to buy me a Hallicrafters SR-160 and proceeded to work the world on 80 and 40 meter CW. I still use the Hallicrafters and check-into Midcars and make a few CW contacts. Our club The Treaty City Amateur Radio Association had a Johnson transmitter with a Drake R4C. What a combination. Once I had my General I could use the club's Drake TR-4 with homebuilt amplifier. During our cold winters it was easy to stay warm with these old tube sets while sending with my J-38 straight key.
Posted by
WD8MGO on 2003-02-20
Heathkit
You forgot to include the best old rigs...Heathkit. The DX-100 was a tremendous rig. So were the SB-XXX linears that are still in use today by hams all over the world.
73
John
Posted by
KI4RO on 2003-02-19
Old Gear
Started with a homebrew 6L6 running 15 watts. Receiver was a Hallicrafters S40B. Thought "I died and went to Heaven" when I upgraded to a DX-60 and HQ-110AC. Couple years later, got my hands on an NC-300 and Globe King 500. Great receiver and outstanding audio from the Globe King. Still have them both.
Posted by
K7PGL on 2003-02-19
Central Electronics 100V
I bought the CE-100V in 1962 from Henry Radio Anahiem, CA. I just replaced the filter capacitors and other electrolytics. It still works fine. This transmitter was eons ahead of it's time. A master piece in engineering. With the Collins 75A4 it is quite a combination to say the least. I wouldn't part with this combination. As they say, real radio's glow in the dark.
Posted by
K6KSG on 2003-02-18
HW101
The HW101 was my first rig, I operated many hours of cw and I still have it,73 Tom WB9WNZ
Posted by
WB9WNZ on 2003-02-18
National 200 Xcvr
I noticed not many voted for National, perhaps since that company's "golden yrs" may best be gear from the 1930s & 40s. However my first post Novice rig was a NEW NCX200 circa 1968. This was a "chevy" compared to the better Drake or "caddy" Collins gear...but it worked and kept me going through HS into College. I put some mods in it (RIT, audio CW filter). Interestingly enough after selling it in the mid 70s and moving into Yaesu and ICOM gear, I stumbled onto MY old rig at the local W0VLZ National Radio basement "museum" a few years ago. I was able to borrow it for my Tech Plus son to try out on 10m SSB...what a change from the ICOM746 we both have been spoiled with! [At the same time I would enjoy parking my loaded 2001 Jeep just to drive my first Chevy again too as I am sure others would like to play with their first rig or car.] This National transceiver may not be the "best" rig but during the teens years I probably had as many hours on it as other rigs since.
Posted by
K0VH on 2003-02-18
Glowing
When I started in ham radio in the late 70’s I made up my mind that I would never own a piece of gear with tubes in it, have almost achieved that. I now have grand total of 5 tubes in my current active shack lineup - 2 3-500z’s and 3 17inch monitor tubes. One thing I did do though is keep all my early Novice gear, the Radio Shack DX-160, and the Atlas RX-110/TX-110L (~15W). I also planned ahead for the inevitable nostalgic urge to rebuild my original station, I simply kept it all!! I do agree with the sentiment that “real radios” do indeed glow in the dark, my 3 monitors with their Ten Tec Pegasus control programs plus PSK31/WSJT and other similar programs that I use are real radio! In fact a truly modern real “radio” of today can light up the entire shack quite handily.
Posted by
N9DG on 2003-02-18
WRL Globe Scout
I got this rig when I was in high school in 1953. Does anybody remember this rig? I ran 50 watts CW and 40 watts AM phone and was a rig that I could keep running no matter what happened to it..... all I needed was the schematic, a few parts, a hot solder iron and a little imagination. Worked 23 countries AM phome and WAS on 40 meter CW as a novice using a 40 foot end fed long wire antenna on the roof. Boy, I had more fun with that rig and my Hallicrafters S-38C receiver than I did later when I had a Yaesu full gallon station into a cubical quad at 80 feet.!
Posted by
W6OJ on 2003-02-18
Older gear
I disappeared from Ham Radio for a short 10 years. When I returned, I was stunned to see the features jump by leaps and the prices were cut in half. Old gear is fun to remember, like my HW16, but the new stuff is light years ahead.
Posted by
WD8OKN on 2003-02-18
Older gear
I disappeared from Ham Radio for a short 10 years. When I returned, I was stunned to see the features jump by leaps and the prices were cut in half. Old gear is fun to remember, like my HW16, but the new stuff is light years ahead.
Posted by
WD8OKN on 2003-02-18
Old Gear
SWAN
Posted by
K3DWW on 2003-02-18
Heath, Halliscratchers, Hammerlund
Apache (used only on CW), HQ-180, HT-37 all used in the 60s.. And Heath DX-40 in the 50s.. Still have 'em all.. Gave an NC-98 away to non ham.. Damn .. Should have kept it..
Posted by
K7CLS on 2003-02-18
Central Electronics 100V
I bought the CE-100V in 1962 from Henry Radio Anahiem, CA. I just replaced the filter capacitors and other electrolytics. It still works fine. This transmitter was eons ahead of it's time. A master piece in engineering. With the Collins 75A4 it is quite a combination to say the least. I wouldn't part with this combination. As they say, real radio's glow in the dark.
Posted by K6KSG on February 18, 2003
Posted by
K6KSG on 2003-02-18
old junk
I have owned a lot of boat anchors, and while everyone seeks their childhood (or early years of being a ham, reliving their novice days, whatever the reason), most of that old stuff is better off living in an archive somewhere. Yes, I liked my old Drake C Line after I worked my way to General, or the HW-16 that I built, cost per kHz, physical size, portability, reliablity, modern communications gear is far superior to my old stations.
How many IC706's can be stacked into the same space that held the C Line, 2m, 6m converters and still would not have the same capabilites?
Posted by
RAD1OMAN on 2003-02-17
Ranger and Drake 2B
My teenage dream station consisted of a Johnson Ranger I and a Drake 2B. Just dreamed about them - couldn't afford them. Anyway, I now own them and use them! They work great, and also look great sitting next to my FT-1K MKV, IC-706G, and FT-817!
Posted by
AD5X on 2003-02-17
Heath & Hallicrafters
I'd have to say my favorite setup was all hand-me-down, from Jerry, W8HZV (God Bless his departed soul). I was a poor, working class father of two, trying to make ends meet, and Jerry caught up with me on 2 meters one evening. He invited me over to the house, and I left his place with a complete HF station. Heathkit DX-100 and a Hallicrafters SX-28, along with a 19" rack cabinet to put it all in. Here I was, in 1985, running gear that was older than I was, and loving every minute of it. That setup was what enabled me to get my codespeed up to 13 for the General ticket, and kept my home heating bills down all winter at the same time!
It wasn't pretty, it wasn't stable, and the transmitter almost killed me one day (750 volt plate supply wasn't anything to play with) - but I'd find a home for em in a heartbeat if I could find those rigs again.
73 de
Alex, WD8JMM
Posted by
WD8JMM on 2003-02-17
Hallicrafters
I Inherited a set of Hallicrafter Twins SX117 rec & Ht44 trans from my brothers estate when he became a silent key, they are like new and work like new.I would never part with them. They are a welcome addition to my station. I use them at least once a week to keep them in good condition.I think they were a great asset to ham radio.
Posted by
WB8TIV on 2003-02-17
How Old is Old?
Hi Guys! I enjoyed reading the comments. I guess I'm showing my age, but I find it difficult to lump in any solid state radios in the "Old Catogory".
I know that many comments were made by younger hams who have had the pleasure of operating some of tube rigs and know there is a hugh difference in the two technologies. Solid state gave the manufactures so much more room to ad features that were literally impossible in the space allotted in tube radios. Having said that, I vote for the Hallicrafters SX-115 (better the the A4), the Galaxy GT-550, the Drake 2B. Now I gotta run, it's supper time.
73's George N9HI
Posted by
N9HI on 2003-02-17
Sure have heard some FB sounding Viking Rangers out there!
Never had one tho...
I'm still lovin my Corsair. Egad, the 850S/AT is still in it's box, not yet even tested...uh- have had it for over 6 months.
Such is the extent of my Lady Corsair's enchantment. It's not what she says- it's how she says it.
Her knobs are spaced to perfection, not too close, not too far apart, she looks up to me in perfect degree.
Her tone blossoms with precision- perfect diction.
And while she speaks, she hears as well. She reads, not only between the lines, but between the letters, as well.
She is my ever present Mistress, infinitely patient, ever willing to play, and I love to play her as much as she loves to be played.
She is content to be my secondary Lady, for this is her purpose, her ultimate aspiration.
My Lady Corsair, sheer, raw, elegance.
The most that least could possibly ever offer.
She is my favourite, and I dare not call her "old."
Posted by
W3DCG on 2003-02-16
Boatanchors
Well My first transmitter was a 6L6 power oscillator built on a Maxwell House coffee can. My first receiver was a Navy surplus ARC-5.
Still have the ARC-5. Now I also have a Heathkit DX-35, DX60, and DX-100 transmitters. I have a Johnson Valiant transmitter which is my favorite. I also have a Hallicrafters S-28A receiver and a National NC300 receiver. The National is my favorite receiver. While Collins gear is great I don't like them as they are too perfect and too expensive. Nobody I knew ran Collins rigs when I was a young JN in the sixties.
This list doesn't include my modern rice box appliance radios.
Regards
W1QWT
Posted by
W1QWT on 2003-02-16
Best ol' rig
dON't foRgET tHe EicO 753, ThE mOst sTAble RiG eVEr bUilt... :)
K7FD
Posted by
K7FD on 2003-02-16
Old Gear...
Don't forget the old 20A transmitter.
Now that brings back some REAL old memories.
Posted by
K8BBE on 2003-02-16
Re: HT-37/2-B
My Novice station as a teenager in 1976 was a Hallicrafters HT-37 and a Drake 2B. All those tubes kept the shack warm in that converted Wisconsin attic. I also used that setup for awhile as a General (got great audio reports with the HT-37), then switched to a Drake TR-3.
I've had many different rigs since then, but probably had the most fun with those two "classic" stations.
Ted
W4TLG
ex-WB9YSH
Posted by
W4TLG on 2003-02-16
Re: HT-37/2-B
My Novice station as a teenager in 1976 was a Hallicrafters HT-37 and a Drake 2B. All those tubes kept the shack warm in that converted Wisconsin attic. I also used that setup for awhile as a General (got great audio reports with the HT-37), then switched to a Drake TR-3.
I've had many different rigs since then, but probably had the most fun with those two "classic" stations.
Ted
W4TLG
ex-WB9YSH
Posted by
W4TLG on 2003-02-16
Give Classic Radio a Try
This is a great survey question; I posted my comments way down this page. It really doesn't matter if you like Drake, Heathkit, Hallicrafters or any classic radio. All of them bring can back very fond memories which I honestly beleive will not be possible with the newer generation of ham gear. The classic gear used tubes, sometimes was a little cranky to operate, but it seemed as though these things had some kind of sprit, or unknown entity. As a ham who has enjoyed classic radio equipment for nearly 40 years, I'd like to give one item of advice to the newer ham who has yet tried his/her turn at ownership of a piece of classic gear; aways own at least one piece of classic gear. It doesn't really matter if your whole station is 1960's classic; or you own just an old SWL receiver, or a streight key. You will have in your possession a piece of radio history. Enjoy it!
73
Steve W4MGY
Posted by
W4MGY on 2003-02-16
Drake 2B and Lafayette (yes, Lafayette!)
Way back machine: My first rig that was put on the air was an Hallicrafters S-38E and a Lafayette KT-390 transmitter kit which I put together myself (just one little problem for a while with it: one side of the ac was grounded (I figured out *that* one in a hurry!)). Even with a Heathkit Q-multiplier, the S-38E made a terrible receiver (just perfect for a 14 year old novice!). When I saved up some money (supplemented by the old man's, of course!), I purchased a used Drake 2B which I own to this day. That receiver was a piece of quality work and still sounds great. Recently, in an attack of middle-age angst, I bought a Lafayette KT-390, determined to fix it up; unfortunately, the power transformer was blown. So I bought another one and used *its* transformer. What do you know, the thing works great! I've got an Eico 717 keyer and a VFO for the rig, all I need is the Eico plate modulator for AM and I'll have reproduced my station from the early years...except it still won't work as well as the equipment I currently own. Well, that's progress. Still, the old stuff is well worth preserving, I think, and the rigs I currently own and operate will, in turn, be old and junked. So it goes.
73!
Joe, W2RBA
Posted by
W2RBA on 2003-02-16
Heathkit TX-1 Apache
My first Transmitter way back in 1977 was a Heathkit TX-1, great transmitter on CW and AM, i ADDED THE SB-10 SSB Adapter, but wasn't as happy as working cw and AM. I had alot of fun working the ssb crowd on 75 while I was on AM, somebody would always tell me I had some carrier in there, I had a lot of fun.
Thanks for the form
Scott KD5JX
Posted by
KD5JX on 2003-02-16
Hallicrafters
You guys need to look at the Hallicrafters SX-28 to see what a real radio looks like, and it operates as good as it looks. This site has a photo http://www.qsl.net/wa2whv/hallicrafters.shtml
Match that with a BC-610 and you will think you’ve died and gone to heaven.
Posted by
WA6IPD on 2003-02-15
Kenwood TS450-SAT
How old is old? I have a Kenwood TS450-SAT that is around 15 years old. It does a fantastic job and can hang in there with the best new rigs. If you are primarily a DX'er or a ragchewer, the old tube type, no auto-tuner rigs are fine. As a contester, I wouldn't try operating with one of the tube type rigs because it is much slower. BTW, I rate the 450 as best bang for the buck since you can purchase them used for around $500.
Posted by
NY4T on 2003-02-15
Hallicrafter Twins
My second rig when I got my General in the late 70's was the Hallicrafter Twins the HT-44 Transmitter and the matching SX-117 Receiver. 5 bands, 80-10. 10 meters was favorite band at the time. Collected a lot of 10-10 numbers and 10-10 chapter certificates with this set up.
Posted by
NT9E on 2003-02-15
Old stuff..
My vote is for the Drake TR4CW with RIT. I got the radio in 1979 when I was fifteen, and I still have it. It was quite a step up from the Swan 350, which in retrospect was no radio for a Johnny Novice to have his hands on. "Tune" on that radio should have been labeled "Destroy"!
Posted by
K1OU on 2003-02-15
TT, Heath, Hallicrafters, Drake, Atlas
It's all fun all the time. If you only have a current model rig, it must be that your wife wont let you cuz having old gear in the shack is a hoot.
Posted by
K8DIT on 2003-02-15
Old gear
I used to love to listen to my dad's Hammarlund HQ-170A. My first rig as an SWL was the Knight Star Roamer which got WWV at 2.5, 5.1, 10.2 and 15 MHz! I liked the way the dark room was lit up by the perforated case of the Hammarlund.
Posted by
K9NYO on 2003-02-15
Ten-Tec Triton IV
My favorite HF rig is the Ten-Tec Triton IV. It is reliable, easy to operate, and a great performer.
It was quite revolutionary in it's day, with "no tune" finals and SWR protection.
I made DXCC with this old relic and a wire antenna.
Christopher
KG2NP
Posted by
W2CBK on 2003-02-15
Drake lives!!
I had a Collins S line, KWS1/75A4 (still have the A4) and still have a KWM2A. Nice rugged stuff. But, side by side the Collins gear cannot even come close to the Drake gear. My favorite setup has to be the Novice Drake 2NT/2C setup.
Posted by
KD2E on 2003-02-15
old radio
hello all:I have a old National HRO 500 that i love in use for years (1964-now) unlike my collins 75A4 i have never replaced a tube... Old radio's have a good sound to them. Oh the good old drifting rigs. tnx for reading, my old drake L4-B is working fine. 73 wa3djg dave
Posted by
WA3DJG on 2003-02-14
HEATHKIT SB-102
Poorman's Collins KWM-2, Still using it, built myself back in 1970, like a timex takes a licking but keeps on ticking.
Posted by
AD5JT on 2003-02-14
Old Gear
As others have said, the best old gear is the old gear that I had when first licenced. For me that was my DX-40 and Hammarlund HQ180A with a homebrewed antenna tuner and random wire antenna. I still use my Ambassador key when working CW.
Posted by
KF4HEY on 2003-02-14
TenTec
My beloved 1979 TenTec Argonaut 509, my first
rig, back on the air since June 2002 with a
4-band trap dipole at 12-15 feet over the
house. 700+ QSOs with its 5 watt CW (2 watt
SSB)and still going strong. The dial
mechanism is crappy, but the signal reports
are great, as is the *very* sensitive front
end. I love this old classic.
Posted by
KT8K on 2003-02-14
FT101E & HW8
Does a '101e count? Made a ton of contacts with that old work horse.
Used to have fun playing with an HW8 too:-)
73
Dan
Dan Evans K9ZF
Scottsburg, IN 47170
{EM78}
K9ZF /R no budget Rover
ex-N9RLA
Check out the Rover Resource Page at:
http://www.qsl.net/n9rla
QRP-l #1269
IN-Ham list administrator
Posted by
K9ZF on 2003-02-14
R.M.E.
I don't know about best, but my favorite old general coverage receiver was an R.M.E. 99 made by Radio Manufacturing Engineers of Peoria Illinois. What an awesome looking (and performing) old boat anchor. Looked a bit like an R.C.A. AR88.
Posted by
HFHAM2 on 2003-02-13
HQ-180AC/DX-60
I would turn on the old Hammarlund when I came home from school for lunch - by 3 pm it was almost rock steady. Boy could that thing hear! (And warm the basement in the winter!) That and a Dx-60 with a pile of rocks thrilled me and actually got me gobs of dx - especially with the CL-33! I could hear EVERYTHING and work most of it (90w CW) Still have the Hammarlund, CL-33 and a TR4-C I saved forever for - great tooooooby sound - and they play loud too! Kinda wish I kept the DX-60 too! I love my Icom and it plays great but it will go - but not this classic stuff!
Posted by
N9CYS on 2003-02-13
how the years have gone by..........
Like was said above (below?) "So many rigs, so little time". I have owned a DX-60B, a NC-109 (still have one), Swans, Drakes (still have a TR-22) a Gonset and others. I still remember using a Hammarlund and Multi Elmac in high school in 1953. But now, I have my second IC-706 variety and even as I remember the oldies with fondness, I wouldn't go back. The good old days are to be remembered, not relived. Time and technology march on.
73
Frank
KL7IPV
Posted by
KL7IPV on 2003-02-13
Kenwood Twins
Like a previous commenter said, the Yaesu FT101B was a blast to use. It was my first novice rig, and I got Novice WAS, and about 160 countries on it before trading it in. However, I think the best old rig I had was the Kenwood 599 twins. Incredible receiver! Came with all the built in receiver, and never saw it overload. It was a little unusual that the receiver covered 160 meters and the transmitter didn't. Those silver faces were something to look at also. I even had the 6 and 2 meter converters in the R599. Heard my first 6 meter signals that way, and even made a 2 meter CW QSO in a contest once using the R599 and an Ameco TX62 with 1 crystal. The Twins were also great for running splits with. They were a great setup at the time, and would still hold their own against almost any setup. Hoping to get another set some day.
Posted by
NE0P on 2003-02-13
Still Working.
The old Drake TR3 is still on the desk and plugging along. Definately not a CW rig, but it is a heck of a SSB one. It also helps warm the shack in the winter.
Posted by
K7DWI on 2003-02-13
Yaesu FT 902DM
The Ole girl still holds a place in my heart after all these years. When I am ask what rig was your favorite, befoe the question is complete I think of her.
Posted by
KE4EX on 2003-02-13
Johnson Ranger #1
Just wanted to say my all time favorite will always be the Johnson Viking Ranger series transmitters, particulary the "1" with that amber meter. Paired up with a restored 1950's vintage Eddystone receiver, they represent a great BA combo that looks classic and a joy to operate. I like the Ranger because it is also a prolific transmitter. After so many years of trading and selling Rangers, I decided to keep one on hand as a keeper. I'm never going to let this one go. Cal, N6KYR
Posted by
W4PTO on 2003-02-13
Old gear
Favorites: A Gonset Communicator first got me on the air, I got my serious SWLing chops with a Hallicrafters S-76 and a Drake TR4C was my first HF rig (I really, really wish I had one of those again). Even my currently favored Kenwood TS-930 is edging into the "old" catagory. Wouldn't it be easier to talk about old girl friends?
Posted by
W7SWL on 2003-02-13
National (of Japan)/NCG and Mizuho
I collect National (Panasonic) gear, some of which was sold under the NCG name in the us. (NCG is National Communications Group, BTW.) The radios date from the '70s through about 1986 when National/Panasonic dropped out of the ham market. The rigs tend to be innovative and real little performers, even by today's standards.
I also really like Mizuho QRP gear, old and new. Some dates back to the early '70s and looks like Japanese versions of the Heath HW-7. The really old Mizuho rigs even are green, but it's a light olive green. Neat stuff.
Posted by
KU4QD on 2003-02-13
My old SX-111
My first real ham receiver was a Hallicrafters SX-111. Definite boat anchor. But it was solid, selective, and after about an hour warm-up stable as well. I used that with a homebrew 6L6 transmitter to work all over the place as a Novice. Second place would go to an HW-16, third to a TenTec Argonaut 509, and fourth to an old National NCX-3 that wouldn't work on 20m (needed new finals but never found them) but was great on 40 and 80.
73 de N8AUC
Eric
Posted by
N8AUC on 2003-02-13
Hammarlund SP-600
This receiver can still go head to head with most new receivers. And talk about a gear driven tuning knob!
Posted by
KY6R on 2003-02-13
HW16
I upgraded to this from a homebrew 6l6 xmtr and a reg rx. I thought I had died and went to heaven. For a kid with a paper route for income, Heathkits were a god-send. The price was right, they were fun to build and they usually worked the first time you turned them on. Oh the great hours spent with that HW16 the glow of its tubes and the lure of working DX. Thanks Heathkit for making my novice year the most memorable of all my years in ham radio
Posted by
W8OB on 2003-02-13
Old rigs
The Hallicrafters HT-37 combined with the Drake 2B. That was a great combination. The RCVR that matched the HT-37 (SX-111) was, IMHO, nowhere near as good as the Drake and wasn't fit to be on the same desk as the HT-37.
I still have my HT-37/2B. Not on the air, but maybe a project for some winter.
Posted by
W1JQ on 2003-02-13
Old Rigs
I started with a Heath DX-40 and HQ-100A, moved to a Galaxy V. Ran it at home into dipoles and tri-band beam and mobile with a Webster Bandspanner. The Galaxy was a great rig that did everything well except CW.
Posted by
W4CNG on 2003-02-13
Dependable
I don't have experiance with other rigs but I've come to the conclusion that everyone should have one around. While I've had troubles come and go, my swan 350 is always there and never failed.
Posted by
KG7VQ on 2003-02-13
Heathkit/Drake
From my novice days (1961) I used Heathkit transmitters; I'm surprised Heathkit was not one of the main categories. From a DX-20, DX-40, Apache, SB-104 to my favorites now - DX-100B and HX-10. Heathkits are my favorite - transmitters. Now, I have a Drake B-line and it is my favorite Drake pair. My favorite standalone receiver is my Drake 2B. Alas, so many 'favorites', so little time - to operate (them all).
Posted by
KC8JX on 2003-02-13
Difficult question
I miss my old Globe King 400B. Maybe sometime????
SX100 is fantastic.
Looking forward to getting on the air with Viking Ranger.
Posted by
WA2DTW on 2003-02-13
old collins
The KWS-1 and 75A-4 are a pair that beat any full house. The Receiver is still in use.
Howie, K1VSJ
Posted by
K1VSJ on 2003-02-13
TenTec
I'm glad to see the TenTec rigs were not overlooked in this list of fine American classic hardware. Maybe not the same vintage as some of the others but it seems they are the only one still producing! My Triton 4 digital is just like a Timex and plays like a Rolex. Ed/W4WVW 73
Posted by
former-W4WVW on 2003-02-13
Old Gear
Hammarlund HXL-1 linear: 30+ years old, only 2nd set of finals.
Posted by
AD6KB on 2003-02-13
Old Gear
The best 'old' set up I had (neglecting my GREAT 6L6 novice rig!) was a HeathKit SB-303 rcvr, Johnson Viking II and Thunderbolt amp. My Dad gave me the Viking II when he quit hamming to go 'chase the white ball'. I modified the Viking for grid block keying and get excellent CW reports. I ran the set up into a 3-el wire beam for 80m (using that tern 'beam' loosely!) Truely a very enjoyable station. Then upgraded to a TenTec Omni 6 and the great Johnson gear became 'boat anchors'. Wish I still had all of that gear.
Tom/W4BQF
Posted by
W4BQF on 2003-02-12
Ten Tec
Maybe not that old by some standards but my very first 'new' radio the Ten-Tec Centruy 21 was great. This simple rig cost around $300 which was a pretty worldly sum for a 17 year old in 1978! The rig was put in my bed room with a B&W window antenna. I never ran counterpoise mostly because I did not know at the time what it was so I tuned the ant. with a small tuner and work 40m and 15m CW in the novice band. It took a year but I got WAS that way. The rig never hiccupped or anything I ended up selling it for a 2m rig when I got my General class and was moving away.
I still fondly recall all the CW QSOs I had I even worked a few cross-mode CW to SSB in those days!
Great radio, easy to operate, had some nice features like RIT and a zero beat button, and the nicest thing of all was that it required no tubes! Yes folks not so long ago one had tubes in their radios and Century 21 was one of the first non-tube radios. This was a big deal to be as my previous radio (transmitter actually) was an old Heatkit DX100 which weighed about 60lbs and was filled with tubes.
Posted by
K9PO on 2003-02-12
Old Gear
How can anyone forget Heathkit? I loved my old HW-101, I wish I could buy it back, lot's of fun to build and great to operate. How can you beat a rig that you can fix yourself when something goes wrong?
Posted by
W8VKD on 2003-02-12
Old rigs
I'm not sure what the definition of old is but I also love my first rig the Heath HW-101.
Posted by
K2TF on 2003-02-12
old gear
Swan was a favorite of mine
Posted by
K6XR on 2003-02-12
Heath
Heath always represented the best bang for the buck. HW-16 transceiver banged out about 70 watts CW and was servicable by me.
Posted by
K8AG on 2003-02-12
Old Gear
Man, I can still remember using a Heath HW-8 as my first borrowed rig. The only thing I owned was a key. A very good riend, Jim Zimmerman, at at that time WB7DGU, lent me the radio and the power supply as well as the keyer. I built an inverted V for 40 meters and worked all the bands on it (What's SWR???). I loved every minute of it. Never was quite sure what freq I was on but I knew I was in band!! First QSL card was received within 24 hrs of QSL. Thatnks WD4OLR!!
73 de Kenn W5KAP
Posted by
W5KAP on 2003-02-12
Whatever you had!
I think most who've been in the hobby a long time will have a great fondness and endearment for whatever they used at first -- it's only natural.
My first stations were piles of homebrew junque, although I used commercially made receivers, all of which were horrible until I landed a National NC-300. It was a "dream" compared to anything else I had used before it, so of course it became the world's best receiver in my mind. Until I picked up a Collins 75A4 several years later, then that became the best!
Very fond memories of all the Heath gear I built...it was all wonderful, with a few exceptions. The SB301/SB401/SB220/SB110 stuff, when all lined up like soldiers on the bench, looked as good as it worked, which was very well. And each was an absolute pleasure to build.
Hard to believe my benches and benches full of gear have now been replaced by a couple of desktop rigs that actually do more, and work better!
Posted by
WB2WIK on 2003-02-12
Drake & Collins
My favorite rigs are Collins and Drake, having both an S-Line and a KWM-380, plus several Drake receivers. As I am a phone operator, my comments are from that perspective. The Collins S-Line, in it's time, had maybe the best SSB receive audio going. Afterall, Collins practically invented SSB, and this is where the S-Line worked best. I have tried the S-Line on CW and found the 1300 Hz offset a real pain. The KWM-380 was the first all solid state Collins HF radio sold to the amateur market. Alas, it was also the last. Rockwell/Collins could not compete with the imported rigs in the amateur marketplace. The receive audio has phase noise, enough to be annoying. Collins gear is becoming more of an expensive collectable than anything else. If you can't afford the high prices Collins commands, Drake is a very good choice. R.L. Drake built probably some of the best equipment that was ever made specificly for the amateur marketplace. A Drake R-4(A, B, or C) receiver with passband tuning, a real notch filter, and a choice 4 bandswidths can do a really crediable job even under today's band conditions. All Drake gear is easy to maintain, reasonably priced, and possibly can last a lifetime with reasonable care.
Posted by
W4MGY on 2003-02-12
Drake 2B
I only used my Drake 2B with indoor antennas when I was living in apartments. It wasn't as pretty as the National receivers, but it sure could hear!
Posted by
NI0C on 2003-02-12
Gear
National,Collins,Drake,Johnson and Hallicrafters all made some excellent equipment. There were some other good equipment manufacturers but those five manufacturers made most of the truly fine equipment.
NCX-5 MkII,NC-303,NC-300,75A series, R4/a/b/c---T4/a/b/c series,SX-99,SX-100,SX-101,KWM-2a, etc. are just a few of the really good pieces.
Posted by
CURMUDGEON on 2003-02-12
Oldies but goodies
Arguing what would be the "best" old rig is
kind of like arguing religion, politics, or
the Great Pumpkin. Nobody's EVER going to
agree on that one. I have to admit I've
never seen anything take a pounding like
a Collins S-line, but the sight of a Heath
HW-101 or SB-102 never fails to bring tears
to me poor aging eyeballs...
Posted by
WA4FOM on 2003-02-12
Old radio's
So many classic rigs..... so little time, space and money. I never owned Collins but did own something from every thing listed in the choices. Surprised that Swan was not there since it sold in more numbers than Galaxy. Since I never owned Collins, I had Drake. A B-Line, a C-Line, a 2B, and an MN4C tuner. These were fantasy radios for me in the late 60s and early 70s when my budget as college student just barely kept me on the air. Started acquiring them in the 80s, paying $100 for the 2B, $250 for the B-line and even trading a newer IC 735 straight up for a tricked out C-Line, and used them extensivsely. My best find was my $25 MN4C. Still have it, and wish I still had everything else.
73
George
K3UD
Posted by
K3UD on 2003-02-12
YAESU FT-101B
My first new radio was a FT-101B and though
the Heath HW-16 and HB-10B VFO provided
wonderful CW service, the YAESU I still own!
Over the years I picked up many of the optional
items such as the VFO, Phone Patch, Monitor
scope, Amplifier, and at one time even a
transverter. But the real story is the radio itself.
First the final tubes, yes many turned their noses
up at sweep tubes but the 6JS6's and 12BY7 driver
installed during the construction of my FT-101B
lasted 25 Years!! Through all the abuse of open
and closed circuits, poor swr's, and driving homebrew
amplifiers.
I also own a Drake TR4C, and remote VFO, which is
a wonderful old radio that works well, but
doesn't hold a candle to my YAESU FT-101B.
Posted by
WA6HYQ on 2003-02-12
Heathkit! How could you not make a place for heathkit into the list. I have great memories of building these old rigs with my dad! Great for quality family ham radio time. Its to bad more and more dont make kit radio's.
Posted by
KG4LMU on 2003-02-12
Old Gear
I favor the KWS1/75A4 and T4XB/R4B on CW, KWM2/30L1 on SSB, and Ranger II/R390 on AM. I also have a deep and lasting affection for National catacomb receivers and ARC5 sets.
Posted by
AD6W on 2003-02-12
Johnson
Nothing beats having a big Johnson radio.
Posted by
AD7DB on 2003-02-12
Collins
I run a 75s3a/32s3 and kwm-2. Nothing beats Collins radio's they still sound as good as anything today and there value is far greater than Drake who also made good gear.Also the 30l1 linear is still the best 811a amp on the market today especially with the tune function using the phase comparator cct; simply ahead of its time!Nothing beats a Collins mechanical filter on tx or rx--Nothing!!
Cheers from Chris.
Posted by chris carroll on 2003-02-12Ten-Tec
I have such a fondness for my T-T Argosy (circa 1981) that I doubt if I'll every part with it! A joy to listen to, with ultra silent QSK, and super selectivity (w/ optional cascaded filters). Oh, it had its weakpoints, such as poor dynamic range, but that rig brought me lots of DX QSLs, a bunch of contest certificates and hours of fun. Not bad for a $400 radio.
Posted by
K3YD on 2003-02-12
Did Somebody Say "Big Gun?"
AD7DB is right (3 posts down). I would add only that if you push a Johnson too hard, it'll splatter, and you could end up with harmonics, too. Of course, some would say you're better off not even taking it out of the box!
Peace,
FU
Posted by
ME2FU on 2003-02-12
What About Hammarlund's?
My favorite Boat Anchors are the Hammarlund HQ170AC, HQ180AC and HQ 150's.....smooth as silk! The 75A4's ain't bad either
Bill/KB9IV
Posted by
KB9IV on 2003-02-12
Hammarlunds
The BEST .. Hammarlund's and second best Johnson. Larry W9MDX
Posted by Larry Robison on 2003-02-12Old Gear
Collins was the best I ever used but all of the Collins equipment I ever used belonged to Uncle Sam. It was way too expensive for me.
The three best I ever owned was a Johnson Viking Adventurer, Johnson Viking Ranger and the Galaxy V Mark II. The Viking II was good also.
A friend who is now SK had a Meisner 150B. It was 6' long 2.5' wide and 2.5' deep. It weightd 600 pounds with the .5" thick slate bottom. It ran 500 watts on AM using 813 tubes but the real beauty was the 4 866A rectifiers glowing blue whren transmitting. Anyone remember this beauty?
Bob/KG4OOA
Posted by
KG4OOA on 2003-02-12
Old Collins Twins
Simple little Collins 75S1 $ 32S1 are nice radios. This was a tough decision because I have owned many older radios. 75A4, SX-101A, Hammarlund SP-201X, Hammarlund HQ-160, Johnson Valiant, Globe King 400, etc
Posted by
JAMES_BENEDICT_EX_N8FVJ on 2003-02-12
Heathkit HW-16
Of all the gear I've owned, the rig that is nearest and dearest to me is the HW-16. I had a lot of gear that I borrowed from friends as a novice in 1970, Hammerlund, Johnson, Drake, and a few others, but I can remember reading....and re-reading the heathkit catalog and dreaming about break-in CW, side-tone, 500 hz selectivity - wow! I got out the HW-16 a while ago, and it was still nice (nicer with a beam). Of course in terms of quality, it cannot compare with Drake, Collins.........but it was mine.
Posted by
W6EIJ on 2003-02-12
Old Gear
I had a hard time deciding which old radio I liked best so I asked my wife (who's maiden name is Collins) for her opinion. She said she definately likes my Johnson best. Bill KG9IO
Posted by
KG9IO on 2003-02-12
Old Gear
I had an SX 88 and sold it. What a bad move! It had some of the best audio I have ever heard. Also, it was a fine receiver overall. As the prophet has said," you don't know what you've got, til its gone".
Bob KK7WN
Posted by
KK7WN on 2003-02-12
Heathkit!
Heathkits are plain fun. Easy to find tubes for and easy to "tweak". A HW32A was my first HF rig as a boy. I will always remember that and having them today reminds me of those first and golden years in ham radio. For this reason nothing can be more sentimental for me to use.
Posted by
KE1MB on 2003-02-12